Nottingham’s senior judge QC Gregory Dickinson imposed a 34-year prison term on Hooper, who he classified as ‘highly dangerous.’

Because of the terms of the sentence, Hooper will have to wait at least 22 years to seek parole.

If he is still regarded as a public risk, he will have to serve the entire term.

Even when freed, he must spend another eight years on licence, putting him at risk of an immediate return to prison.

The judge said: ‘There were 24 counts of sexual violence. This was repeated violence carried out without mercy. There was a lack of acknowledgement and no hint of remorse. You are highly dangerous and will remain so for a long time.

‘Because of the offences and the brutality, it is impossible to appreciative if and when it will ever be safe to release you.’

Hooper was found guilty of 14 rapes, other sexual assaults and causing actual bodily harm following a nine-day trial (Picture: Google)

During the trial, Hooper accused the women of making false complaints and said they were trying to ‘destroy’ him.

Dawn Pritchard, prosecuting, said: ‘These were campaigns of rape of three children. These involved children from a very tender age. There was violence and threats of violence used in relation to everyone.

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‘There were threats to kill one of the victim’s children in front of her.’

One girl kept on telling Hooper she was scared and asked him to stop. He continued the rape, replying: ‘Count to ten.’

Another victim said he was ‘the most evil and sadistic person’ she had ever met.

Patrick Duffy, mitigating, said the incidents had a major impact on the four victims and told the judge: ‘As Mr Hooper’s defence advocate, I don’t want to minimise that or in any way to try and distance Mr Hooper from those very serious offences.

‘These are very, very serious offences. It has to be accepted that Mr Hooper is dangerous. He will serve a very long sentence. He will leave prison an old man.’

Hooper, whose childhood was described as ‘difficult’, had no previous convictions for sexual abuse.

When released from jail aged 22, he was found to be mentally ill, later suffering from ‘paranoia and abnormal thinking.’

Mr Duffy said: ‘His life is not one of joy.’

Hooper gently rocked back and forwards while sitting in the dock during much of the hearing.

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Constable Hannah Frame from Nottinghamshire Police, who led the investigation, said: ‘This is the most horrific case of sexual abuse I’ve ever had to investigate and the length of the sentence is a reflection of the grave and serious nature of the offending.

‘In effect he has given his victims a life sentence of the psychological impact these attacks have. It is only right that he is given a such a lengthy sentence too and I know
his victims will take great comfort from that.

‘The victims have shown bravery and patience throughout the investigation and I commend them for the way that they have handled themselves throughout.

‘I hope this sentence also gives people confidence that Nottinghamshire Police is there to support victims of crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.

‘We will investigate all reports of sexual abuse, even if they happened a long time ago, and will give survivors all the help they need.’